Mount Adams: A Lesser Known Stratovolcano in The Cascade Range

Washington State MountainsPhoto byAlek NewtononUnsplash

Mount Adams, a stratovolcano in the Cascade Range of Washington State, is considered an active volcano, though it hasn't erupted in about 1,000 years. The likelihood of it erupting in the next fifty years is generally considered low, but it's not zero.

Washingtonians live in a diverse region with volcanoes, earthquake faults, and the potential for tsunamis. For the most part, residents don’t give a lot of thought to the risk factors of living in a subduction zone or near a ring of volcanoes. However, every so often, there is an earthquake or one of the volcanoes will decide to remind residents that they are always lurking in the background.

Mount Adams is the second-highest peak in Washington, standing at about 12,281 feet (3,743 meters) above sea level. It is also one of the largest volcanoes in the Cascade Range, with a volume of over 70 cubic miles. It’s majestic beauty is unsurpassed.

Historically, Mount Adams has a long history of volcanic activity, but its most recent eruptions have been minor. The last significant eruption occurred about 3,500 years ago, with the most recent minor activity around 1,000 years ago.

As far as volcanoes go, Mount Adams is pretty quiet compared to its sister Mount St. Helen’s. Currently, Mount Adams is considered to be a dormant volcano. However, it’s worthy of note that at one time, Mount St. Helen’s was also considered a dormant volcano.

According to monitoring by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) indicates that the volcano shows signs of low-level unrest, such as minor seismic activity and gas emissions, but there are no signs of imminent eruption. The USGS considers Mount Adams to have a low probability of eruption in the near future.

The mountain features numerous glaciers, with the largest being the Adams Glacier on the north side. The summit is actually a broad plateau with several minor peaks, rather than a single pointed summit.

Washington State is steeped in Native American history and many of the volcanoes play a huge role in their communities. Culturally significant, the mountain is sacred to several Native American tribes in the region, including the Yakama Nation, who refer to it as "Pahto" or "Klickitat."

Mount Adams is a popular destination for hiking, climbing, and back country skiing. The South Climb is the most popular route to the summit, which is considered non-technical and is accessible to most fit hikers during the summer months.

The mountain and its surroundings are protected as part of the Mount Adams Wilderness, which spans over 47,000 acres. This wilderness area offers a variety of outdoor activities and is home to diverse wildlife. While Mount Adams is a lesser-known gem compared to nearby Mount Rainier, its rugged beauty and relative solitude make it a favorite among outdoor enthusiasts.

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